THE  FIRST PURGE   0.0***

         This has to be one of the worst, most divisive, race-baiting films I've had the misfortune of watching.  I have never given a movie a “0”***. Well never say never… this one earned that distinction easily.

I have seen all 3 of the prior “Purge” movies none of which was very good but at least they stuck to the general theme of what a purge was about. That being that American values had deteriorated  to the point where a very radical far far right President was elected who espoused the idea that a purge was good for the nation. That once a year on a given date  from 7pm to 7am the laws were suspended and anybody could kill or maim or rape anybody else without any consequence. It was helter-skelter for 12 hours once a year. In truth the plan of the President and his followers  was that the purge was a good way to get rid of thousands of the poor and downtrodden (primarily non-whites) and thus save billions of dollars in social aid. However this movie, as a prequel to the other 3 comes up with a ludicrous story to explain how it all started.

 The movie targets Staten Island, New York as the place where the first purge takes place. The movie then falsely shows that every single person on the island is of a different ethnic background and are either poor, a gang member, mentally unstable, or drug dealers. As the movie progresses you find out that this new government fearing that a real purge would not happen has hired mercenaries to infiltrate Staten Island and start killing any and every minority that they come across. Yes, you guessed it, every single one of these mercenaries is white and is dressed in either Klu Klux Klan garb, nazi-esque outfits, or as police officers. When one of the people working with the government  finds out about the ruse, the main baddie white guy explains that America needs to purge the minorities and lower class people from the country, because they bring nothing to society of any value.  

I cringed with disgust as I saw where the movie was going and the disgust grew.  The only good thing about it was that it was only 97 minutes long… it could not get over too soon.

A BIG shock was Marisa Tomie ( an Oscar winning actress) was in this trash of a movie although it was interesting that her name was not listed in the post movie credits as being in the cast. I don’t blame her.

Rated R for strong disturbing  violence throughout, pervasive BAD language, some sexuality and drug use .|

      IN BRUGES  3.5***

Two Irish hit-men Ken (Brendan Gleeson) and Ray (Colin Farrell) are sent by their London mobster Harry (Ralph Fiennes) to Bruges, a medieval Belgium city, around Christmas time for a 2 week R&R  after a botched job in London. Ray, in his first assignment, was sent to murder a priest in a church but he  also accidentally shot  a boy. While Ken enjoys touring the historic city, Ray, who is struggling with an inner conflict over the death of the boy, feels completely bored .Then Ray meet a sexy smalltime drug-dealer Chloë  who sells drugs to the cast and crew of a movie that is being filmed.

“In Bruges" is a dramatic and violent dark comedy. The flawed characters are charming but weird: two hit-men, one of them experiencing an emotional crisis and the other being an eager tourist; a mobster kingpin with a code of principles; a sexy drug-dealer and an American dwarf starring in an Euro-trash movie. These are the lead components of a unique  story highlighted by witty dialog, surprising irony, and unforeseen and quite surprising plot twists including one of the bloodiest and most ethical shootouts ever in  a movie (during last 20 to 30 minutes).

In Bruges is a surprisingly good film with great performances by the two leads and the supporting cast. Colin Farrell manages to be as sympathetic in the dramatic parts as he is charmingly sarcastic in the comedic parts. Brendan Gleeson gives a nicely refined portrayal as Farrell's mentor and friend. Meanwhile, Ralph Fiennes channels his scary-as-hell energy into a role  that is frighteningly fun to watch.  

Rated R for strong bloody violence, pervasive language and some drug use.